Sunday, August 26, 2018

Metal finishing is a necessary step in numerous Canadian manufacturing industries. The finishing process has a substantial impact on the function, appearance and longevity of manufactured metal parts. The decision on whether to use metal finishing services in Canada or outsource the job overseas can also impact the final product.

Why choose a Canadian metal finisher? For some manufacturers, the choice may ultimately be a financial once. But there are other factors to consider when weighing the benefits of Canadian metal finishing versus finishing overseas.

1. Lead Time Required for Metal Finishing

Many metal finishing operations overseas are fast and efficient, able to process mass quantities of parts in a short time. But having parts finished overseas will always require a much greater lead time. There are no “rush orders” when your parts are an ocean away.

Canadian metal finishers are more agile. The closer proximity to Canadian manufacturers means it’s feasible to accommodate unexpected orders or last-minute changes. Thousands of parts go through our factory floor and out the door each day, and our customers know we can get the job done when time is of the essence.

2. Duties and Transportation Costs

At first glance, the cost of finishing parts overseas may appear more affordable than metal finishing in Canada. But there’s more to it than the base cost of the finishing project.

Having parts finished overseas means greater transportation costs, especially when you’re dealing with large quantities of heavy metal parts. Using a foreign finishing service also incurs duties that are non-existent when you do metal finishing in Canada.

In the current economic climate, it’s hard to predict how duties and tariffs could change in the future, turning a lucrative overseas partnership into a financial headache.

Choosing a Canadian metal finisher provides far more clarity and stability in terms of cost.

3. Environmental Benefits

Today, the metal finishing and coating industries are more environmentally-friendly than ever before. However, they can still result in harmful by-products.

The metal finishing often follows a parts-washing process, which frequently involves the use of chemical solvents and cleaners. Depending on the finishing method of choice, the finishing process itself can produce wastewater, effluents, spent process solutions, and air emissions.

Here in Canada, metal finishers must conform to stringent industry standards and environmental regulations that ensure any waste is disposed of as safely as possible. Canadian metal finishers are also doing their part to achieve our provincial and national climate goals.

Unfortunately, this level of environmental protection is not a guarantee with metal finishers overseas.

4. Clear Communication

Email and VoIP technology has made it possible to communicate with foreign partners in an instant. Despite these advancements, miscommunication remains a problem for many Canadian manufacturers when it comes to outsourcing. The fact that you cannot see the finisher’s operations first-hand means that errors and misunderstanding might not surface until it’s too late to make changes.

Miscommunication can still happen in Canada, of course. But taking the barriers of language and distance out of the equation allows for smoother ongoing communication and more certainty for the manufacturer and metal finisher alike.

5. Canadians Get the Job Done Right

Fact is, there’s no part of the metal finishing we can’t do in Canada. Canadian manufacturers who choose local finishers enjoy the benefit of a skilled, stable business partner get the job done to order.

Over the years, Latem Industries has continuously improved and expanded our operations to meet our customers’ changing needs. We’re proud to be a Canadian metal finishing company that support numerous Canadian manufacturing industries.